Bandits on Sunday morning abducted eight worshippers from an ECWA church in Omugo, Oro-Ago community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Three of the abductees were however rescued by joint security forces.
The attack occurred hours after the Coordinator, Joint Security Watch, Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, issued an alert warning of imminent attack on some communities in Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin LGAs.
The government also condemned the “cowardly” targeting of religious places under any guise.
In a statement by Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, on Sunday, the Kwara State Government urged the security forces, forest guards, local vigilantes, and community members to continue to work together to end the menace.
“While commending the immediate response of the security forces and other stakeholders, we task them to ensure that the ongoing manhunt leads to the rescue of the remaining victims and arrest of the perpetrators,” the statement added.
It further commended the security forces, forest guards, and vigilantes for the appreciable progress made in combing of the forests, which has largely curtailed the activities of the criminals in the areas.
The government assured the people of its continuous commitment to work with security forces and community stakeholders to protect lives and property.
